Arab artists: Hussain Madi creates engraved paintings

Hussain Madi is a Lebanese artist who honed his skills in Italy where he lived for over two decades, before settling back in Lebanon where he currently resides.

Lebanese artist Hussain Madi

Madi was born in 1938 in the village of Chebaa by the Hermon Mountain. He attended the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts where he studied painting and sculpture.

“When taking a break from painting, I switch to sculpting. And when I am tired of that, I create engraved paintings,” he said.

Following his academic studies, he travelled to Rome, Italy, in 1973, and ended up living there for 23 years, where he explored more of the art world and refined his skills. At the Accademia di Belle Arti and San Giacomo Academy, Madi studied fresco, mosaic, and printing techniques.

Living between Rome and Beirut, Madi received many accolades and held numerous exhibitions, including the Venice Bienniale. He was awarded the grand prize of painting in Sursock Museum in Beirut in 1965, and won the grand prize in sculpture from the Italian cultural center three years later.

“When I look at my paintings, I burst out laughing. Then I tell myself what a wonderful job, Hussain. You are doing well – continue,” Madi said.

The artist returned to Lebanon permanently in 1986, and continued to run the association for Lebanese plastic artists until 1992.

In 2003, Madi received a medal of honor from the Italian government. Critics often draw comparison of Madi’s art to those of Matisse and Picasso.

“Artists are just like birds of prey,” he says. “They love to dwell near the garbage dumps which are the cities.”

To read more and view Hussain Madi’s art please follow the link:
http://enawafeth.alarabiya.net/content/artist-who-both-painter-and-sculptor